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Books to help you survive (or even celebrate) the coldest season

After the friendly and familial reunions, comfort food, and celebrations at the end of the year, turning the corner into January can sometimes seem like a slide right into the darkest heart of winter. Sometimes it feels like the sun never shines, and when it does, it seems colder than ever. At least we had a significant snowfall, so if you're a snow lover like me, there's plenty of the white stuff to enjoy.

Ecological, Historical & Poetic Explorations of Rock Creek Park

When many people think of our nation's capital, they focus on its political life. Yet residents here know our city environment encompasses much more than federal politics. At its heart lies my favorite area, Rock Creek Park. Over double the size of Central Park, it includes forests, streams, hills, fields, recreational and historical sites. Here residents and tourists can escape from urban stress, slow down, engage in recreation, and commune with nature.

Southwest Library Book Discussion

You are cordially invited to attend the Southwest Library Book Discussion on Saturday, June 30, at 1:30 p.m. Copies of this month's title, The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, are available at the Information Desk.

In the context of mass shootings, police violence and the second amendment, Americans continue to disagree about the place that guns should have in our society. Are gun deaths the result of access to firearms or violent tendencies in the individual? What, if any, gun control is reasonable and constitutional? What did the founders intend with the second amendment? How did we become a country that has so many guns? What is the reality beyond all the hyperbole? These books will hopefully inform you about the history of guns in America and our current use of them.

This eclectic mix of books features different genres, perspectives, and approaches to answer the question: "What does it mean to be an American?" Some are memoirs, some are histories, some social science and poetry thrown in for good measure. While none of these books by themselves or even as a collection completely answer the complex question, they do begin to describe the multiple facets of what it means to call oneself an American.

On August 21, there will be a total solar eclipse covering the continental United States for the first time since 1979. Here are two new titles about the eclipse for your reading pleasure and making the most of your viewing experience. Copies of the books are available to check out and download from the library system.

Stories and Histories of DC

Whether you grew up in D.C. or have only been here a few weeks, knowing and understanding the city you live in is important. These books cover parts of the history of D.C. and focus on the ways in which race has intersected with politics and the way we live here.

Challenge #13: Read a nonfiction book about technology

A new year means new year resolutions and challenges. One reading challenge that I love to do is Book Riot’s 2017 Read Harder challenge. Instead of having people focus on a specific number of books, Read Harder challenges people to read different genres or authors that they may overlook. This year, there are 24 prompts for readers, and a complete list may be found here on the Book Riot Goodreads page.